According to the medical community, it is normal to have a bowel movement anywhere from three times a day, to three times a week.9 Three times a week works out to once every two days. If you produce 2 pounds of fecal matter a day and you only go to the bathroom once every two days, that means -- mathematically speaking -- that you are regularly storing upwards of 4 pounds of fecal matter in your colon…mathematically speaking. Since we're still in the average range for bowel movements, we're talking tens of millions of Americans who regularly store 4 pounds of fecal matter in their colons. Let's drop a pound off that in case we have a rounding error, and we're still at the high end of my assertion that 2--3 pounds of fecal matter being stored in the colon is common.
Flaxseeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. The daily consumption of flaxseeds is a sure shot way to cleanse your colon due to the combined laxative effect of its compounds. While the omega-3s are wonderful for your overall health, the antioxidants and fiber in flaxseeds can help increase your bowel movements to get rid of all the toxins from your body (21), (22), (23).
If constipation is a cause of your weight gain, then Bile Builder is a must-have to cleanse that toxic bile and get toxins flowing out through your colon again so you can lose the weight. Fat cells that are loaded with toxins won’t leave until the toxins have a way to be eliminated; these fat cells are a protective mechanism of your body so you don’t get sick from all the toxins circulating.
Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) is particularly rich in mucilage and gets extremely gooey when wet, which makes it a great demulcent and emollient. This quality makes it particularly valuable for coating and protecting irritated mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, lungs,37 and, for our purposes in this formula, the gastrointestinal tract. It is used in this formula for treating inflammation and irritation of the alimentary canal--as well as to help regenerate the epithelial cells that line the intestinal tract.38 The active biochemicals in marshmallow are large carbohydrate (sugar) molecules, which make up the mucilage. This smooth, slippery substance can soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes throughout the body. Marshmallow has been known to relieve indigestion, kidney problems, urinary tract infections, and even external skin wounds such as boils and abscesses.
Barberry rootbark contains berberine, a bitter alkaloid that aids in the secretion of bile and is good for liver health,15 acts as a mild purgative, helps regulate the digestive processes, and improves insulin sensitivity.16 The antibacterial properties of berbamine, another alkaloid found in barberry, have shown activity against Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli. It has anti-microbial properties that are especially beneficial for the skin and intestinal tract.17 And finally, barberry has a beneficial effect on blood pressure by causing a dilatation of the blood vessels.
The gut is the basis of our health – it’s the first line of defense against pathogens, it’s where we digest and absorb nutrients and where we house our gut microbes, also known as gut bacteria. Poor gut health is now thought to be strongly linked to a compromised immune system, malnutrition and poor mood regulation, and plays a role in arthritis and obesity, according to a recent review of scientific literature published in the journal BMC Medicine.
Many colon cleanse practitioners lose weight because they clear waste products from their intestines. During a colon cleanse, you may have five or six bowel movements per day. These frequent bowel movements eliminate the waste that normally builds up in your digestive tract. According to the commercial Best Colon Cleanse website, some people lose 10 or more pounds during the cleansing process.
James, who was enlisted by NSW Health to help devise guidelines after the hepatitis incident, says that despite perceptions instilled by 49-buck daily deals, colonic lavage is an invasive medical procedure. It should be performed in a medically-run clinic by medically-trained practitioners au fait with infection control procedures. Many practitioners, James laments, are not medically trained.
But constipation is a severe problem in the developed world. According to a 2007 study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, the incidence of chronic constipation in the United States is just over 17 percent, or well over 50 million people.10 With a bowel movement once every five days (towards the low end definition of constipation), you're talking about 10 pounds of fecal matter stored in the colon -- at once every seven days it's 14 pounds. And statistically, we're still talking about several million people. So, my statement that 10--20 pounds is not as unusual as you might think, holds up…again, mathematically speaking. And let's keep in mind, these numbers assume that 100% of this stored fecal matter is evacuated from your bowels during your once a week movements -- a questionable assumption at best. As for the 65 pounds, I did say that has been reported "only in exceptional cases." The simple mathematical truth is that the concept of people storing pounds of fecal matter is not "false, false, false" as Dr. Carroll asserts; It's mathematically "true, true, true!"
I know several people who SWEAR by these treatments (some like the water ones, some like the juice/smoothie-only cleanses.) They participate more frequently, though, seeking a cleanse with the change of seasons. The only reason to really avoid it is if you have a suppressed immune system to begin with, which is not a problem for you! Congratulations for being brave enough to write about the experience. I didn’t find it it to be very “gross” at all, but then again, I may have a high threshold for bodily functions.
Nature’s Secret 15-Day Weight Loss Cleanse & Flush helps stimulate healthy digestion and supports cleansing of the digestive tract.* The botanicals and fiber in this product may help reduce bloating, clean out the digestive system and help to flatten the appearance of the abdomen.* Once your digestive system is cleansed, absorption of nutrients and energy from food is enhanced, making you feel lighter, more energized and healthier.*
Poor diet and ineffective vitamin absorption can cause you to become distracted and lose your concentration. The buildup of mucous and toxins in your colon can keep your body from getting what it needs to function, even if you eat a consistently healthy diet. Cleansing the colon with a detox diet can be the difference between feeling alert and not being able to focus. This has far-reaching ramifications for work, your relationships, and your overall health.
Yogurt is a natural probiotic that helps in restoring the beneficial gut flora (9). Your intestines contain some good bacteria, the absence of which may cause a series of digestive and health problems. Yogurt is also a rich source of antioxidants and helps in the natural detoxification of your body (10). The daily consumption of yogurt helps in maintaining the level of probiotics in your body, which, in turn, improves digestion and cleanses the colon.
Colonics do work to flush loose waste and sediment from rectum and large intestine, but they have several drawbacks. They can actually weaken bowel muscles over time. Colonics don't draw toxins from bowel pockets or from tissue. They do, however, flush all bacteria out--the good as well as the bad. Colonics can also disrupt natural pH (acid/alkaline) balance) in the large intestine. Finally, depending on the skill of your therapist, you run the risk (low) that some water retained in the equipment from another patient's previous use may be injected into your colon. Yech! Should You Clean Out Your Colon?